Page 1 of Whisk Me Away

CHAPTER 1

KARIS

Part of me believed I would never come back to this place. Okay, let’s not be dramatic; I would definitely come back to visit my family, but move back home and decide to live here? That would have been a big, fat no, but sometimes God had other plans.

The trees lining Main Street were in full bloom. As I drove past the town square, a part of me wondered why I had vowed never to move back. This place had a beauty that drew tourists from all over—especially those obsessed with ‘Gilmore Girls’ or ‘Hart of Dixie’. Ashwood Falls was your typical small town with all the cutesy vibes you got from those shows. But that's just it. I grew up here and always dreamed of something more. Being something more. Doing something more. When I graduated high school and received a full-ride offer to go to college in Kansas City, I jumped at the opportunity.

I had majored in business and worked part-time at a local bakery. One of the things my mom had passed down to me was her love for baking, and for as long as I could remember, I had wanted to open my own shop. I had big dreams of building my own bakery in a big city where the hustle and bustle would keep me busy and successful.

The phone call from Dad last week had changed my entire life. I had been finishing my shift at the bakery where I had been working when my phone had buzzed in my pocket. Shuffling through the back door and onto the sidewalk, I had pulled my phone out and had seen my dad's name and picture flash across the screen. I had stabbed the answer button and had started the short walk back to my place.

"Hi, Dad!" I had greeted him cheerfully.

"Hey, Pumpkin,” Dad's voice had sounded tired and had held a hint of sadness.

"Is everything okay?" I had picked up my pace as I had approached the building that housed my second-floor apartment.

"Honestly, Karis… I'm not sure yet. We got some hard news yesterday, and I think your mother and I are still processing, but I didn't want to wait any longer to tell you what was going on,” my stomach had twisted into a tight knot, causing stabbing pains through my middle.

"Daddy, is everyone okay? You're scaring me,” the words had felt like sandpaper scratching through my voice as my mind had reeled.

"A few weeks ago, your mom found a lump in her breast and scheduled an appointment to get it checked. We didn't tell anyone because we wanted to know what we were dealing with before we caused stress and worry to anyone else.”

My steps faltered at his words. I wasn’t able to find the words, and Dad must have known I wasn’t ready to respond because he continued as I climbed the stairs to my apartment door.

"She went in last week and had the lump biopsied, and the doctor called us yesterday with the results. Pumpkin, your mom's got breast cancer,” Dad's voice delivered the news that sent shockwaves through my entire being.

My world came to a screeching halt. My vision blurred as I struggled to get the key into the lock. I needed to get inside so I could collapse to the floor in the safety of my apartment. After fumbling with the keys and three failed attempts to unlock the door, I finally pushed my way through and dropped to the tile in the entryway.

“Dad," I managed to choke out before a sob ripped from my chest. "I'm coming home.”

“That’s not why I called, but if that is really what you want, then we would love to have you home, Karis. Your mom and I miss you. I don't want you to worry. We are taking this seriously, and the doctors said that we caught it early. We know God is in control, and we are trusting in his healing."

I crossed through town and headed out to my parent's place, recalling my conversation with Dad several days ago. Their house sat just on the outskirts of our tiny little town. After that phone call, I took the next few days to quit my job at the bakery, cancel my lease, and pack up everything I would be taking from my apartment. I scheduled a pick-up with a donation center for all the furniture, then drove straight home when I was finished.

I hadn't figured out exactly what I would do or where I would live, but I knew deep down in my heart this was where I needed to be. For now, I would stay at my parent's house until I devised a game plan. It would allow me to check on Mom, ensure she was set up for everything she would need when she started treatments, and catch up with Mom, Dad, and Eden after living in Kansas City for the last five years.

Eden was three years younger than me, and while I wanted adventure and to get away from Ashwood Falls, she fully embraced the small-town life and couldn't have been happier to stay here and attend community college. I loved my sister even if we were complete opposites, and I could hardly wait to see them all.

I pulled up in front of the house and parked my little white Honda Civic, pausing for a moment to take it all in. I grew up in a big Victorian-style house with two stories, a wrap-around porch complete with a porch swing, and two white wooden rocking chairs.

Memories of Eden, Mom, and me sitting on the porch laughing and talking over coffee on a cold fall morning assaulted my mind. Maybe being back home wouldn't be so bad.

God had a plan, and at this moment, I decided to make the most of the time I had with Mom. I felt grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with the woman who had always been my role model and biggest supporter.

As I pushed open the driver's side door, the front door swung open, and my dad came stomping down the porch steps.

"Hey, Pumpkin," he greeted me with an embrace that provided unexpected comfort.

"Hi, Dad,” I sighed, sinking into his hug.

"Head inside. Your mom is waiting with fresh-baked lemon bars, and I'll grab your stuff from the car," Dad said, giving me a reassuring squeeze before releasing me.

This. I had missed this more than I was willing to admit at that moment.

Shaking off the thought, I bounded up the stairs and through the screen door.

"Momma!" I called out, making a beeline for the kitchen. My parents' house had the typical farmhouse layout, and they had renovated the kitchen during my high school years to create a better space for mom and me to indulge in our baking sessions.

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